Southwestern Launches Diesel Mechanic Program to fill workforce gap

Jun 4, 2025 | News

COOS BAY, Ore. – Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) is rolling out a new Diesel Mechanic Technology Program this fall. The program will enroll 15 students fall term, bringing high-skill, hands-on training to individuals ready to power up careers in one of the region’s highest-demand trades.

The limited-entry, competitive program is open for applications through July 24. Interviews will be held in August and classes begin Sept. 15. A limited-entry format means students must apply and interview to be considered for the program. Classes will run weekday afternoons and simulate a real job environment — complete with uniforms and professional expectations. More details are available at http://www.socc.edu/dieselmechanic.

Coos Bay business owner Terry Cheyne created the program and brings more than 35 years of experience in diesel technology and shop management. A Marshfield High School graduate and Universal Technical Institute alum, Cheyne returned to Coos Bay in 2016 to launch his successful mechanic business, Cheyne’s Truck & Marine. He’s now ready to turn his focus to teaching. 

“I plan to structure this program like a job all the way through graduation. Students will learn all aspect of the business, not just turning wrenches,” Cheyne said. 

The program combines lectures and hands-on lab training to prepare graduates for careers in trucking, maritime, forestry, fleet services, rail and agriculture. Each term will build on skilled learned, increasing in experience and complete truck maintenance and repair. Ultimately, students will earn an Associate of Applied Science in Diesel Mechanic Technology.

Initially housed in a repurposed ambulance bay in Umpqua Hall, the program is the first step in a larger vision. Over the next two years, the college will design and build a new four-bay diesel shop facility on the Coos Bay campus. SWOCC and the SWOCC Foundation are working together on grant funding and private donations to support this expansion, aiming for completion in 2026 or 2027.

For more information about the program, contact Terry Cheyne at (541) 888-7242 or terry.cheyne@socc.edu. To learn how to support the diesel program, call the SWOCC Foundation at (541) 888-7211 or email foundation@socc.edu.

You can read more about Cheyne’s background and the creation of the Diesel Mechanic program HERE.

Applications Now Open!

Click HERE for more details and instructions to apply.

New Diesel Program at SWOCC rolls out this fall

May 28, 2025 | News

If you run commercial trucks or operate a commercial fishing boat, you likely know Terry Cheyne or are familiar with his mechanic shop on the Coos Bay waterfront.

Soon, folks who want to train as mechanics in truck and engine repair will know Terry as well.

Starting in September at the Coos campus Terry will be bringing his 35 years of experience to the new diesel tech program being offered. This two-year program was designed by Terry to help guide new mechanics to enter the career field. These students will take the learning materials from lectures and readings and then apply them in a heavily hands-on setting to become confident and knowledgeable in the industry.

“They will learn all aspects of the business, not just turning wrenches,” explains Terry. “Many trade schools offer training as a moneymaker, but there’s no heart in their programs or focus to making a person a well-rounded employee.”

This program is different. In addition to gaining the other crucial hands-on skills servicing chassis and fixing hydraulics, students will learn to complete and maintain records to avoid legal liability. Attendance and attitude matter.

“I learned a lot from hard knocks. I plan to structure this program like a job all the way through graduation,” Terry says. “Students will be required to be on time and wear a uniform.”

This is a limited-entry program that will require a person to apply and interview. Students will learn what it takes to show up, be accountable, and build a career.

“We will pick the best candidates for the program. That’s how we intend to get the best students trained and out in the mechanics world,” Terry summarizes.

Bringing high-skill training home

You might wonder why a man who owns a mechanic shop and small trucking business would want more work – and to teach.

Terry is all Coos Bay – many years of hard work have given him calloused and rough hands; he looks you in the eye to have a conversation, so you know you’re being heard, and he wants to bring growth and opportunity back to the area he grew up in. He put the same attention and dedication into designing the program.

“As a business owner, I wanted to grow and expand my business, but there are no mechanics. Well, there are, but they need to grow their training,” Terry says.

Up until now if people left to get diesel training, they didn’t come back to the region. Terry plans to change that.

If you’ve lived here a long time and went to high school here, you might remember Terry. He grew up in Coos Bay and graduated from Marshfield High School. He went on to earn a certificate in diesel technology at Universal Technical Institute in Phoenix, Arizona.

His mechanic skills landed him a first job working for a log truck company, then a commercial farm in Klamath Falls. Eventually he went to work for Wal-Mart in Hermiston as a tech at a distribution facility.  He worked hard, climbing the ladder in the corporation to manage staffing and open new repair shops nationwide. In 2016, he decided to come home and start a mobile repair service that has grown into Cheyne’s Truck & Marine, employing a full crew of mechanics.

Mechanics for the future

Terry will teach the first year of classes in the College’s ambulance garage in Umpqua Hall, while SWOCC develops plans and builds a full-size mechanic shop on campus. The College and SWOCC Foundation will be seeking grants and donations to get it done in 2026, and outfit the shop with tools. Local and national companies are already stepping up. Business owners and managers are serving on an advisory committee and some plan to donate engines and equipment for students to use.

For Terry, who is ready to teach, the goal is simple — to train good technicians and give students the skills they need for real careers. For students ready to work, the outcome is guaranteed – learn solid job skills and you can help fill a workforce gap that’s been growing for years.

Applications Now Open!

Click HERE for more details and instructions to apply.

New Artist Residency Brings Creative Opportunities to Oregon’s South Coast

May 28, 2025 | News

Now Accepting Applications for 2025–2026 Guest Artist in Residence!

COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is launching a new Guest Artist in Residence (SGAR) Program for the 2025–2026 academic year. The program is designed to connect professional artists with local students and community members through hands-on teaching, public workshops, and community engagement.

The nine-month residency takes place at Southwestern’s Coos Campus and the Coos Art Museum in Coos Bay, Oregon, providing artists with time, space, and support to develop their work while helping expand access to the arts throughout the South Coast. 

Residency Benefits

• $1,600 monthly stipend – Intended to cover materials, travel, shipping, and living expenses for the duration of the residency
• Studio space on Southwestern’s Coos Campus and at the Coos Art Museum
• On-campus housing and a 10-meal-per-week dining plan
• A solo exhibition at Southwestern’s Eden Gallery

The selected artist will teach two or more classes or workshops per term for Southwestern students, in addition to developing and teaching at least one workshop per term for the Coos Art Museum Studio. They will collaborate with students, faculty, and local partners to make the arts more inclusive and accessible.

“We designed this residency with students, artists, and the broader South Coast community in mind,” said Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services. “It’s about making the arts more visible and meaningful in people’s lives, while supporting artists in ways that help them grow creatively and build connections.”

Eligibility & How to Apply

Applications are now open for the program’s inaugural year. Artists working in painting (any medium), photography, mixed media, installation art, or bronze casting are encouraged to apply:

• Applicants should have a developed artistic practice, teaching experience with undergraduate students, and the technical skills to work independently in a studio environment.
• Ideal for emerging or mid-career artists looking to balance studio work with teaching and community collaboration.
• Artists from both the U.S. and abroad are welcome to apply. International artists must independently secure legal residency status.

Full application requirements are listed in the SGAR application form.

Click on the button to apply:

IMPORTANT DATES

• Deadline to apply: June 18, 2025
• Zoom Interviews: Week of June 23, 2025
• Residency period: September 1, 2025 – June 12, 2026 (9 months)

Whether you’re an artist looking to grow your practice through teaching and community engagement—or know someone whose work would thrive in this setting—we hope you apply or share this opportunity with an artist who could bring their talent and vision to our community.

Community Impact Program (CIP)

May 22, 2025 | News

A New Way to Take Your First-Year Classes

Sign up for the new Community Impact Program (CIP) courses and help build a Virtual Reality escape room while earning credit in required courses!

Want to start your first year at Southwestern doing something hands-on, creative, and useful? The new Community Impact Program (CIP) might be for you!

What is it?

CIP is a program of Innovation and Leadership Labs during Fall, Winter, and Spring Terms for first-year students planning to take courses at our Coos Campus in Coos Bay, OR. It blends core college classes with a real-world project. Instead of sitting through unrelated lectures, your classes connect to a shared project that develops throughout the year. You’ll join a team of students from different majors to take on a meaningful challenge.

This year’s project? Designing and building a Virtual Reality escape room for the local STEAM academy.

Why do it?

You’ll gain practical workplace skills (communication, leadership, and problem-solving) while earning credits in classes like Writing and Communication tied directly to your project. Think: fewer papers just for the grade, and more work that gets used.

What else is in it for you?

You’ll also get support from faculty coaches and mentors, plus a chance to showcase your work and build a digital portfolio. It’s a fun, collaborative way to learn that has the potential to look great on a resume.

Interested?

GREAT! There are limited spots available, so talk to your advisor about how to sign up for the “Community Impact Program” or CIP when you register for Fall Term 2025-26.